Uconn WBB ran this action 3 times and scored off of it three different ways in the 2025 NCAA Women's Tournament.
They use a pindown curl action, with Paige setting a pindown for Azzi Fudd, and she curls it. Then KK passes to Paige, popping back to the ball. Then they use pistol keep action, and Sarah Strong sets a ball screen for Paige.
Then Paige plays off it and makes all the reads.
For more Pistol options check out our Pistol Clinic we did.
Today, I want to dive into the Las Vegas Aces and their 1-4 High Baseline OB sets. Under Coach Becky Hammon, they have been running some of the best sets and executing them very well.
Hey Coaches,
I wanted to start a conversation about a concept that's been gaining traction lately in basketball strategy: Inverted Ball Screens.
For those who might not be familiar, Inverted Ball Screens essentially flip the traditional ball screen dynamic on its head. Instead of a big setting a screen for a guard, it's the guard setting a screen for a big. It's a tactical adjustment that's been notably employed by several successful teams recently, including the Spurs with Wemby, the Nuggets with Jokic, the 76ers with Embiid, the Bucks with GA, and even at the college level with Indiana State.
One of the primary advantages of this approach is the strategic mismatch it creates. By putting a guard in the role of the screener, you're not only creating confusion for the defense but also putting your bigger players in positions to make high-impact plays. This can lead to more opportunities for guards to penetrate or shoot off the screen, while simultaneously allowing bigs to utilize their vision to find open teammates or exploit defensive gaps.
What's particularly exciting about Inverted Ball Screens is its potential to filter down to the high school level. It's a strategy that can be effectively implemented regardless of the level of play, offering coaches a versatile tool to enhance their offensive schemes. By hitting guards in the roller spot and leveraging the height advantage of bigger players to see over defenses, teams can unlock new dimensions in their offensive game plan.
But as with any tactical adjustment, there are considerations and nuances to explore. So, I'm curious to hear from all of you: What are your thoughts on Inverted Ball Screens? Have you experimented with this concept in your own coaching? And would you like to see more discussion or resources on how to effectively integrate it into your strategies?
Let's share our insights and experiences to keep pushing the boundaries of basketball innovation!
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Last night in the Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina State Game this is the Sideline OB play that Virginia Tech ran to beat NCST.
How would you coaches defend this?
Would you have defended the inbounder?
Would you switch the cross-screen?
The last couple years Bob Richey at Furman has been a good study for coaches they run great stuff here are some notes that have been shared with me on his offensive philosophy.
Here are some sets from the Chin Series that can be utilized in the Princeton offense, Dribble Drive, or any motion offense.
For coaches that like to run the Euro Ball Screen or a ball screen offense here our some notes from a clinic on it from Coach Kelley Graves of University of Oregon.
Hey there, basketball coaches! 🏀
I hope you're all doing great and enjoying the wonderful world of hoops! Today, I want to take a moment to talk about the Denver Nuggets' offense. Now, I know we all have our favorite teams and strategies, but there's no denying that the Nuggets have an exciting and effective offensive system worth learning from.
First off, let me just say that the Nuggets' offense is a thing of beauty. It's a well-oiled machine that's built on teamwork, versatility, and some incredible individual talent. Coach Michael Malone has done a fantastic job in implementing a system that maximizes the strengths of his players.
One of the key aspects of the Nuggets' offense is their emphasis on ball movement. They are exceptional at sharing the rock and making quick, decisive passes to create scoring opportunities. Watching them swing the ball from side to side with precision and purpose is a sight to behold. It's a great lesson for our own teams on the importance of unselfish play and finding the open man.
Another thing that sets the Nuggets apart is their exceptional floor spacing. They have a roster filled with players who can shoot the three-ball, and they take full advantage of it. Their ability to stretch the defense and create driving lanes is remarkable. As coaches, we can certainly learn a thing or two about how they use spacing to exploit mismatches and create high-percentage shots.
Now, let's talk about the Joker, Nikola Jokić. This guy is a true magician on the court. His basketball IQ is off the charts, and his passing skills are simply extraordinary for a big man. Jokić's ability to read the defense and make pinpoint passes to cutters and shooters is a major component of the Nuggets' offense. Watching him dissect defenses is a masterclass in decision-making and court vision.
Of course, we can't forget about the Nuggets' backcourt duo of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.. Murray's scoring ability and clutch gene are a joy to watch, while Porter brings a dead-eye shooter. Their ability to play off each other and create opportunities for themselves and their teammates is something we can all learn from.
This was the go-to set for the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Memphis Grizzlies in the First round of the NBA Playoffs 2023.
They ran a double-drag ball screen with an empty corner. They typically would have Anthony Davis screen and roll and have a shooter set the first screen and pop.
The video shows various reads and options based on how the defense covered it.